Terry Gilliam tipped to direct Into the Woods revival at the Old Vic

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical is set to return to London later this year, with a revival at the Old Vic to be staged this winter. In a tweet by Baz Bamigboye, Monty Python member Terry Gilliam is rumoured to direct the revival of Into the Woods. 

Combining the plots of traditional fairy tales including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood, Into the Woods sees characters from different worlds interact with each other, as they try to defeat a witch's curse. The musical features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, with songs including "Giants in the Sky" and "Children Will Listen". 

Best known as a member of Monty Python, the multi-award-winning performer turned his hand to directing in the 1980s, with a catalogue of directorial credits including The Adventures of Baron Munschen, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and The Fisher King. 

First performed on Broadway in 1987, the musical went on to win Tony Awards best book and best score for Lapine and Sondheim respectively, playing for over two years. The original London production of Into the Woods received seven Olivier Award nominations, with Imelda Staunton winning best actress in a musical for her performance as the Baker's Wife. 

Into the Woods has been revived numerous times in London, including productions at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2016, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2010 and the Donmar Warehouse in 1998. 

Further details on the production's creative team, as well as casting and performance dates have not been rumoured.

Into the Woods has also been adapted for the silver screen, with the 2014 film starring Meryl Streep as the Witch, Emily Blunt as the Baker's Wife and James Corden as the Baker.

Current productions at the Old Vic are staged as part of Matthew Warchus' fifth season as artistic director, including Daniel Radcliffe and Alan Cumming in Endgame, Timothee Chalamet and Eileen Atkins in 4000 Miles and the world premiere of Local Hero.

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